Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[plantcityhomestead]

I cull green legs.

It is interesting to me that they have even shown up in your birds, Kathy. This must be a recessive trait from very early on in Delaware history, since you are starting from scratch it must have something to do with the genetics of combining the two parent breeds. I am just starting to learn all this breeding stuff, and the little details fascinate me.

I sure wish everyone had culled the substandard birds through the years. Yours are the first I have seen that are even close to type.

 

[desertmarcy]

"MANY more problems"? What do you see as other problems? Or are you just overstating the temperament issue as "problems" (Pleural)? I am not trying to downplay the temperament issue, I totally agree I don't want aggression in a breeding bird. But I would also like to learn what to look for in a good Delaware, that is why I wonder if you are seeing something other than the comb. Tail set, color, etc? The question I asked about the possibility of housing in a small solitary pen with no other birds, whether that might affect temperament, has gone unanswered.

 

[kathyinmo]

The question I asked about the possibility of housing in a small solitary pen with no other birds, whether that might affect temperament, has gone unanswered.

I have no idea.

 

[speckledhen]

I have no idea.

I don't know, either.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

"MANY more problems"? What do you see as other problems? Or are you just overstating the temperament issue as "problems" (Pleural)? I am not trying to downplay the temperament issue, I totally agree I don't want aggression in a breeding bird. But I would also like to learn what to look for in a good Delaware, that is why I wonder if you are seeing something other than the comb. Tail set, color, etc? The question I asked about the possibility of housing in a small solitary pen with no other birds, whether that might affect temperament, has gone unanswered.

It is impossible to tell specificly what the problems are by that photo. I just consider temperment very important in a Delaware. I should have said "bigger" problems, rather than "more" to make myself clear.

I had to isolate my cocks for some time because they were very hard on my hens. Even previously good tempered birds became aggressive when separated in a small pen.

 

[WalkingWolf1]

The question I asked about the possibility of housing in a small solitary pen with no other birds, whether that might affect temperament, has gone unanswered.

I think you answered your question with your own observation of your birds. Any animal, espeically those with a herd/flock type social structure will be adversely affected to some extent when separated. For all the reasons you mentioned why you have them then that will be one of the trade-offs you'll have to make. As per your own observation, should you find two bachelors that can live peacefully together then they would both (you all) would be better served by it. In many instances, Roosters are just going to have a difficult disposition. They will be angry if you mess with their hens. They'll be angry if you take them away from their hens. They will be angry if they are penned with another roo, etc. As many (read all) dominant males in nature, they will be at their "best" when allowed to exist in as natural an environment as can be accommodated. As happens with horses, cattle, goats, etc , when it is a controlled breeding program the males are going to have aggressive issues that have to be dealt with. Those that don't will be the exceptions.

 

[desertmarcy]

I had to isolate my cocks for some time because they were very hard on my hens. Even previously good tempered birds became aggressive when separated in a small pen.

Thank you, that is what I was wondering, if anybody had experienced that. I am in the process of getting my automatic water system set up in this condo, and then the males, whether or not they have been in a breeding group, are going out there. All my mature hens had been in with a male since last year, and their back feathers are really beat up, and in some cases, non-existent. Some fared better than others.
I am thinking that Delaware may not be so aggressive when he is in with a group of hens, that it is the circumstance--small cage, isolation, and it is hot here. The heat alone is enough to make anything irritated, I think.

 

[desertmarcy]

I think you answered your question with your own observation of your birds. Any animal, espeically those with a herd/flock type social structure will be adversely affected to some extent when separated. For all the reasons you mentioned why you have them then that will be one of the trade-offs you'll have to make. As per your own observation, should you find two bachelors that can live peacefully together then they would both (you all) would be better served by it. In many instances, Roosters are just going to have a difficult disposition. They will be angry if you mess with their hens. They'll be angry if you take them away from their hens. They will be angry if they are penned with another roo, etc. As many (read all) dominant males in nature, they will be at their "best" when allowed to exist in as natural an environment as can be accommodated. As happens with horses, cattle, goats, etc , when it is a controlled breeding program the males are going to have aggressive issues that have to be dealt with. Those that don't will be the exceptions.

Thank you for your insight, very well stated.

 

[kopeck]

So I thought it was about time to show of my new Delawares, I'm sure joletabey would like to see an update as well!



The one front and center screams cockerel to me, really him and all his buddies on the right do, on the right I see gals. They're all 4 weeks old.

All the black ones are mutts, as much as I like standards I also like some surprises too!

K

 

[Folly's place]

Hello again, and thanks for your replies. The chicks with off-color legs aren't green like Americanas, but have a celery or chartruese tinge with yellow. Is this still too off-color? I hoped to keep one big cockrel, but some of the boys are already pecking and nipping at me; much too bold at six weeks! Mary